In this case, the secret formula is a new means of encryption, capable of changing the balance of international power. Part of the fun is that the book takes the reader along into an understanding of encryption technologies. You'll find yourself better understanding the political battles over such real-life technologies as the Clipper Chip and PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) software even though the book looks at the issues through the eyes of fiction.

Although there's enough globehopping in this book for James Bond, the real battleground is cyberspace, because that's where the "bomb" (or rather, the new encryption algorithm) will explode. Yes, there are a few flaws in the plot if you look too closely, but the cleverness and the sheer fun of it all more than make up for them. There are enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and a lot of high, gee-whiz-level information about encryption, code breaking, and the role they play in international politics. Set aside the whole afternoon and evening for it and have finger food on hand for supper--you may want to read this one straight through. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

David Pogue, Macworld Magazine
A thriller is only as thrilling as it is real, and if Dan Brown's gut-churning story were any realer, its plot turns would hurl you against the wall. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

That sounds mighty boastful, but the author's credentials are strong, the book loaded with business resources and the information is down-to-earth (Everything you need to start a successful business except the money, But we'll show you how to get that, too!")

Author Rieva Lesonsky and the staff of Entrepreneur Magazine put together the book which starts with "Are you ready to be an entrepreneur?" and goes on to starting versus buying, choosing the name attracting investors, hiring employees, location, loans, image, leasing versus buying equipment, choosing a phone system, learning from failure - all the nitty-gritty stuff, plus some long-term thinking.

Lesonsky, Entrepreneur's Vice President / Editorial Director, frequently speaks at small-business conferences and appears on TV and radio business programs. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description
Everything you need to start a successful businessexcept the money. (But we'll show you how to get that, too!) Previous editions of this bestselling book have already helped hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. Now, the revised and updated Third Edition is packed with additional advice on new topics, including: How to get new business ideas Secrets to getting government grants How the Internet can help you with marketing research, competitive intelligence, marketing, advertising and more. How PDA's, cell phones, and other wireless devices can make your business more efficient Tips for starting a non-profit organization Updated "hot links" that direct you to relevant web sites for detailed information Whether your just thinking about starting a new business, taken the first steps, or already own your own business, this comprehensive, easy to understand guide can help ensure your success. Written in a friendly, down-to-earth style, Start Your Own business walks you through every step of the start-up process, from evaluating your business idea, to laying the groundwork to running day-to-day operations. You'll learn how to conduct market research, choose a business structure, create a winning business plan, handle your bookkeeping and taxes, run your business from home, and much more. Dozens of sample from, work sheets, charts, graphs and even the most complex business issues a breeze.

The efficient GR-303 digital loop carrier (DLC) system is described along with how remote digital terminal (RDT) can allow a single communication line to provide telephone service for many businesses and homes. You will also learn how passive optical networks (PONs) are being used to deliver high capacity fiber optic communication to the premises (FTTP) communication lines direct to customers locations.

The different types of switching systems are explained from circuit switched crossbar and time slot interchange (TSI) switches to packet voice and soft switches. You will learn how switches are interconnected with each other to form a global public telephone system.

Multi-channel trunked lines are described including digital signaling (DS) lines, synchronous optical lines, and multi-channel optical (WDM) lines. You will learn how customers may lease lines or portions of communication lines for their own specific purposes.

This book describes how telephone systems are controlled using signaling control messages, call processing, and SCP databases. You will learn about the different types of in-band tone signaling and of band common channel signaling system 7 (SS7). Also covered is how the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is beginning to use advanced intelligent network (AIN) to provide for advanced telephone service features.

Explained are the key types of telephone voice, data, video and Centrex services. You will learn how customer care systems are transitioning from labor-intensive customer service representatives (CSRs) to services that are setup by customer self provisioning.

Covered are the different types of digital subscriber line (DSL) including ADSL, ADSL2, HDSL, SDSL, and VDSL and how they connect the customer through digital subscriber line access modules (DSLAMs). You will learn that some DSL systems allow for the sharing of voice (analog) and digital (data) signals on the same line and how DSL data transmission capacity continues to increase to over 18 Mbps.

You will discover why and how telephone system operators are converting their networks from circuit switched networks to packet voice systems. Find out how packet voice systems can offer the same or better quality of service (QoS) as traditional legacy systems.

About The Author
Mr. Harte is the president of Althos, an expert information provider which researches, trains, and publishes on technology and business industries. He has over 29 years of technology analysis, development, implementation, and business management experience. Mr. Harte has worked for leading companies including Ericsson/General Electric, Audiovox/Toshiba and Westinghouse and has consulted for hundreds of other companies. Mr. Harte continually researches, analyzes, and tests new communication technologies, applications, and services. He has authored over 50 books on telecommunications technologies and business systems covering topics such as mobile telephone systems, data communications, voice over data networks, broadband, prepaid services, billing systems, sales, and Internet marketing. Mr. Harte holds many degrees and certificates including an Executive MBA from Wake Forest University (1995) and a BSET from the University of the State of New York, (1990).

Robert T. Flood has had a distinguished 30-year career in the telecommunications industry. As a renowned speaker at forums around the globe, Robert is a noted authority on Internet Protocol (IP) telephony. Prior to co-founding PingTone Communications, a provider of managed IPT services to corporations and business users worldwide, Robert was the chief technology officer of Cable & Wireless Global, managing a $3 billion capital budget and 1,500 employees worldwide. Robert was previously the chief technology officer and senior vice president of engineering for ICG Communications, driving the Denver-based telecommunications company into 83 markets. At ICG Flood pioneered Voice over Internet Protocol (IP), covering 188 long distance markets within an 8-month period. Prior to that, he worked for CenTel for 19 years in senior engineering positions. Robert serves on the Board of Directors of several technology companies. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nebraska, completed the executive program at the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of management at Northwestern University, and has a master's degree in economics from the University of Nevada Las Vegas